Greenwood Estate

A roof garden area is included and the building is designed to meet level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Thermal energy will be delivered to both buildings by a central combined heat and power plant (CHP) supported by high efficiency gas-fired condensing boilers.
Electricity, generated by the CHP unit will be supplied to the building and supplemented by the grid. Surplus electricity will be exported and sold back to the Grid at a nominal fixed charge.
Both new buildings will use renewable energy systems. Building integrated photo voltaic panels have been incorporated into elements of community centre curtain walling and glazed roof light systems. Conventional PV panels and a solar thermal installation has been included on the roof of the residential block.
The internal environment within the spaces is achieved by the passive, climate moderating, qualities of the building with minimal intervention by the engineering systems. Features incorporated into the design include: highly insulated building fabric and very low air permeability; good quality natural ventilation and day lighting in perimeter spaces; night time ventilation strategies coupled with exposed thermal mass. To assist in keeping the internal space cool in summer; energy efficient heating, hot water and interior lighting systems; demand based control of heating and lighting systems; and rainwater harvesting system included for watering green roof areas.